Studying Theatre Arts is equal parts dramatic processes and theatrical products. Students who choose this pathway will focus on core areas developed by the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards for Theatre Arts: Creating; Performing, Presenting, Producing; Responding; and Connecting. 

In Theatre Arts, students will learn to: 

• Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
• Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding. 
• Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.
• Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
• Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
• Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation.
• elect, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
• Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
• Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
• Perceive and analyze artistic work.
• Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
• Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.

Developing artists and artisans, this department focuses on the conceptual, technical, and artistic elements of all designs by working collaboratively to tell a compelling story. Theatre Arts majors at Westinghouse Arts Academy will utilize, develop, and apply their creative skills in a variety of practical applications and contexts. Students will explore visual storytelling through the study, design, and construction of sets, costumes, makeup and special effects, props, lighting, projection, and sound. Collaboration is paramount, and students in this focus will gain hands-on experience supporting the artistic events and programming for all arts areas at Westinghouse Arts Academy. A focus in Theatre Arts will allow students to explore career options in the field, which may include: actors, directors, designers, technicians, dramaturgs, administrators, and stage managers. Employers can include: Universal Studios Orlando, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Universities, Colleges, High Schools, National and State Arts Foundations, Regional Theatre, and Broadway.

Acting:

If you are interested in performance, you will perform one memorized monologue. Be prepared to discuss your goals as a performer, and how you prepared for your monologue.

Technical:

If you are interested in technical theatre, you must submit a portfolio of your artistic work. This portfolio should include at least five(5) drawings, photographs, sculptures, or photographs of your work. Be prepared to discuss your goals as a theatre technician or artist, and how you prepared for your interview. 

How to prepare:

• Monologue should be 1-2 minutes, and must be memorized.
• Monologue can be either comedy or drama.
• Selection must be from a play (not from a movie or a book of monologues).

*Please do not use monologues that contain excessive foul language, descriptions of sexual activity, or other age-inappropriate material.*  

If you do not currently have a monologue to share, please select a monologue from this document Instructor Approved Monologues

• Theatre Arts Foundations I & II
• Advanced Theatre Arts I & II
• Theatre Arts Senior Seminar

Please view our Program of Studies here.

Fall Play

The fall play is an opportunity for all students to participate in a collection of one-act plays or a full-length play. Students will audition at the beginning of the school year and rehearsals generally begin in late August or early September. Performances will take place in late October or early November. These are fully realized productions where students help build sets, costumes, run lights, sound, front of house, box office, stage manage, and star in. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, the repertoire will rotate as follows: Contemporary Production(21st Century Playwright), Shakespeare Production , Modern Production(20th Century Playwright) Wild Card Production(One Acts, Stylised Production, Comedia d’Arte, etc.)

The International Thespian Society

International Thespian Society (ITS) is a Theatre Honor Society. ITS is a collective of students interested in the art of theatre on any level. It is an honor society committed to promoting leadership opportunities and excellence in all theatrical designs (scenic, costume, sound, lighting, and makeup), performance (acting and musical), film making (short, animated, documentary), technical theatre (stage management and costume construction), theatre management (publicity and marketing), and so much more.

The ITS has been cultivating student involvement in theatre arts since 1929, celebrating 90+ years! With over 4800 troupes located in all 50 states, in 13 countries world-wide including new chapters in China and Canada, with 130,000+ current members totaling 2.4+ million Thespians inducted.

Students involved in ITS have the opportunity to compete against other Thespians at the State and National level.

Introduction to Lighting Design
Introduction to Sound Design

Rebecca Lustig | rlustig@westinghousearts.org | 412-646-1718 ext. 7203

Rebecca R. Lustig (She/Her) was born and raised in Ohio. She received her MFA in Theatre Management from Wayne State University, her MA in Theatre and Directing from Miami University, and her BA in Theatre Arts from Ashland University. Mrs. Lustig served as a Board Member at Large and Vice President for Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre, whose mission is to support and enhance quality theatre education in Wyoming schools. She served as the Artistic Producer for the Put-in-Bay Community Theatre, and the President of the Put-in-Bay Arts Council both in Put-in-Bay, OH. Mrs.Lustig served as the Acting Teacher for Gillette Performing Arts Workshop and worked on several community productions including: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Christmas Carol, HONK!, Annie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Zara Spook and Other Lures, Marisol, and Afraid of the Dark. In her free time, Mrs. Lustig served on the board for the Fur Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of families with animals. Mrs.Lustig is excited for another year at Westinghouse Arts Academy where she serves as the Head of the Theatre Arts Program, and the Director of the International Thespian Society Troupe. Mrs. Lustig strives to create an inclusive environment for all students to learn, be curious, have fun, and explore the world of Theatre Arts.